en.Wedoany.com Reported - According to data released by DNV, a total of 8 LNG-powered ships were ordered globally in May 2026, including 6 container ships and 2 car carriers. The month's orders were primarily driven by LPG/ethane carriers, with 26 such vessels, along with 2 ethanol-fueled bulk carriers.
For the full year 2026, as of the end of May, shipping companies had placed 119 orders for alternative-fuel vessels. LNG-powered ships accounted for the largest share with 60 orders, most of which came from the container sector (42 units), with a smaller portion from car carriers (12 units). Additionally, shipping companies placed 50 orders for LPG/ethane carriers, while ordering activity for other fuel types such as methanol/ethanol (4 units), ammonia (4 units), and hydrogen (1 unit) remained limited.
DNV noted that as of the end of May, the share of alternative-fuel vessels in total tonnage was significantly lower than in the same period in 2025. Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, stated that although the pace of ordering alternative-fuel vessels has changed compared to 2025, the industry is still advancing its transition, with shipowners pushing forward fuel and technology decisions amid evolving regulatory and market conditions. He mentioned that previously, alternative-fuel vessel orders were primarily led by the container sector, but the situation is shifting, with attention turning to smaller vessels and fewer orders for ultra-large container ships, which historically were more likely to adopt alternative fuels. Meanwhile, activity in the tanker and bulk carrier sectors has increased. Stefanatos believes that fuel selection is no longer seen as a single bet; shipowners increasingly view it as a portfolio decision, considering fuel flexibility, investment timing, and exposure to future regulations when managing long-term asset decisions. This is reflected in a more diversified ordering pattern, reinforcing the fact that the transition is not linear.
Data from DNV's Alternative Fuel Insights platform shows that there are currently 892 LNG-powered ships in operation globally, with another 663 on order. LNG-powered ships in operation include 240 container ships, 140 car carriers, 91 oil/chemical tankers, and 84 crude oil tankers. In terms of orders, LNG-powered container ships account for a significant portion, with 414 units, along with 97 car carriers, 48 crude oil tankers, and 36 cruise ships. These statistics do not include smaller inland vessels or dual-fuel LNG carriers. In addition to the 1,555 confirmed LNG-powered ships, the alternative-fuel fleet also includes 450 methanol-fueled ships, 420 LPG-powered ships, 50 ammonia-fueled ships, and 37 hydrogen-fueled ships.
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